Table of contents 5280 November 2010

Denver's done a fantastic job of making itself one of the most desirable places to live in the country--but that doesn't mean it's all bluebird skies, puppies playing in the park, and powder days. Scratch beneath the shiny, happy surface of the Mile High City, and you might be surprised what you find.

With Olympic gold and bronze medals, a couple of ESPY awards, and more World Cup victories than any other U.S. skiier, Vail's Lindsey Vonn is arguably America's best current skier. Here, 5280 caught up with the 26-year-old golden girl to talk about her best friend, being normal, and hometown skiing.